The magnificent Moscow Novodevichy Convent has a very memorable address: Novodevichy proezd, 1. A rare visitor did not admire the stunning appearance and the calm, peaceful spirituality of this place. Novodevichy Moscow Convent attracts lovers of Russian history, architecture, travelers and religious people. There is something for everyone to see in this quiet and humble abode.
Backstory
But first things first. Why is the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, whose address is known to everyone in the capital, attractive to historians? The fact is that this place is closely connected with the era of the reign of Peter the Great. Although the first buildings were rebuilt, perhaps, much earlier, even under Vasily the Third, in the sixteenth century. The first stone, where the Novodevichy Convent is located, at the bend of the Moskva River (according to legend, young Russian virgins were selected here for captivity in the Golden Horde), was laid back in 1524 from the birth of Christ.
Historical value
It's funny that thisThe Novodevichy Smolensk Monastery wished to exile his more objectionable wife, Princess Solomonia, the founder of this monastery, Prince Vasily. Some contemporaries of the Grand Duke even believed that the monastery was built for this purpose. There is a more magnificent version of what caused the construction of the monastery. The fact is that it was rebuilt immediately after the capture of Smolensk, as if in honor of this glorious deed. In addition, to the glory of the Smolensk icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria", which inspired military men to this feat.
How many eminent representatives of the grand ducal family have been here, in these beautiful walls! Many sisters of the kings were tonsured as nuns here. Ivan the Fourth himself sent his relatives here to live, including even the wife of his deceased son. The next tsar also lived in this territory for a very long time, only from a different dynasty - Boris Godunov.
Sofya Alekseevna Romanova
usurp power. By the way, at the behest of Peter himself. It’s good that they weren’t executed like archers, with whose hands she tried to make a coup. The heads of those very poor fellows were ordered to be placed on the teeth of the monastery towers, and supporters of Sophia and her closest associates were to be executed. Yes, so that she herself from her windowsthe cell saw it all. So that it would be disrespectful for neither her nor anyone else to rebel against the king.
And the first wife of Peter and the former Empress Evdokia Lopukhina also served as a simple nun in this monastery. She was objectionable at court, and Peter decided to marry Marta Skavronskaya a second time (she was also Catherine at baptism).
There is much more to tell from the history of this place, but let me tell you about the architectural features. They are also quite entertaining.
Architectural delights
The whole monastery resembles an ancient impregnable fortification. Loopholes, high towers, the Moscow River, which, like a moat, washes the impregnable walls of this stronghold. And with all this, the monastery is extremely elegant. Its refined buildings are made mainly in the style of the Moscow Baroque. This is the richest and most elegant style of the seventeenth century. It was at this time that most of the buildings of the complex were built.
The place where the Novodevichy Convent is located is called Maiden's Field. And the monastery is visible on it from afar. Its bright white and scarlet walls and golden bell towers greet travelers with cordiality and tranquility.
Church of the Transfiguration
One of the most unusual and beautiful buildings is the church, which literally hovers over the main entrance - this is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The abundance of snow-white stucco on a bright background is truly mesmerizing. Columns in the classical style, unusual architraves, forms of light drums. In front of the parishioners is not a simple cross-domed church, buta real ode to architectural thought. How similar it is to the buildings of the Resurrection Novodevichy Convent in St. Petersburg!
Smolensky Cathedral
The central Smolensky Cathedral looks much simpler. It is very reminiscent of the Archangel or Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. It was rebuilt in 1525, and it keeps the spirit of the age-old history of Russia of those times. White walls, silver and gold dome - there is nothing superfluous in the external structure of the building. Laconic and regular forms of the temple, built in the ancient Byzantine manner. But the interior decoration is amazing: a five-tier iconostasis, covered with gilding, which was made by the master of the Armory, many masterpieces of Russian icon painting, donated by the Grand Dukes, are also stored here. But most of all, the Orthodox aspire to this temple because of the miraculous icon of the Smolensk Mother of God.
The bell tower of the Novodevichy Convent
A little further from this building rises the most beautiful bell tower of all that has ever been created in Russia. She seems to be all twined with the thinnest and lightest white lace. Here it is, baroque in all its glory. At the heart of each tier of this tower is an octagon, it is crowned with a golden dome, but it’s not even that that is remarkable in it, but its ringing, it is heard throughout the district and remains in the memory of everyone who hears it for a long time. The oldest bell in it is the one that was created under Ivan Vasilyevich Rurikovich. It still sounds from this bell tower to this day. It is worth visiting the Novodevichy Convent alone because of it alone. How to get to it will be detailed below.
Assumption Church
The excursion program also includes the Assumption Church. It is made in the same architectural style and color as the bell tower. A single-dome small temple, but beautiful, like a palace. Red walls, unusual geometry, magnificent stucco on the walls and the magnificence of the interior decoration. This is what characterizes this temple.
Those who decide to take a tour of this holy place will be interested to know that on the territory of the monastery complex there is also the St., a nursing home and chambers that are completely different in their we alth and historical significance. After all, as mentioned above, Evdokia Lopukhina, Evdokia Miloslavskaya, Irina Godunova and her brother lived here, etc.
Natural tower
The last interesting place, but not least, is the tower of the Novodevichy Convent. A carved, magnificent and bright building with a very obvious meaning: a sentry for archers. It is almost as high as the bell tower of the Novodevichy Convent. It also housed the chambers of Princess Sophia. There is even a legend that if you touch the wall of this tower and make a cherished wish, it will surely come true. It is difficult to say for certain since when this belief has been led and what exactly it is connected with, but it is so. Many even write their desires on the plaster of this tower, but it's better not to do this, it's vandalism after all.
On the territory where the Novodevichy Convent is located, there is also a whole complex of burial places of famous and great people. You will be able to see with your own eyes the grave of the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812 - Denis Davydov, General Brusilov, Decembrist Muravyov-Apostol. And, of course, there are burials of royal persons on the territory of the monastery.
For believers, it is probably important that the temples of the monastery are still active, services are held there to this day (although worship in the Novodevichy Convent every day is only in the Assumption Church, the Smolensk Cathedral also functions all summer), and parishioners flock there daily. Behind the monastery there is a very beautiful and picturesque park. It is located on the shore near the pond of the same name with the monastery. It is in this place that the most picturesque views of the entire complex open. In this square, you can also enjoy very original sculptural groups.
From all of the above, it becomes quite obvious that spending a day in the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow is very interesting and useful. To see and learn a lot of new things, to enjoy the unique monuments of art, to visit nature and feel the immeasurable peace and grace that this monastery is full of - it's really worth a lot. The monastery is very reminiscent, and perhaps in some ways superior to St. Petersburg Novodevichy Convent. If you are faced with the question of where to spend the next weekend, then considerthis option in the first place, obviously you won’t have to regret it.
Where is the Novodevichy Convent?
Location and opening hours
Fortunately, the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow has a very simple address. How to get to this complex? The easiest and most economical way in terms of time is by subway. Get off at the station "Sportivnaya", it will take only ten minutes to walk from it. We have already noted what address the Novodevichy Convent has, but we recall: Novodevichy proezd, 1.
The complex is open from nine in the morning until five in the evening. Museums open from ten in the morning, on Tuesday they are closed, as well as on the first Monday of the month.
Entrance to the complex is free, while museum prices vary. A standard ticket for an adult will cost one hundred and fifty rubles, for schoolchildren, students and pensioners the price is sixty rubles.
Of course, you can wander among these magnificent historical buildings on your own. But it is better to turn to the services of competent guides. A number of very interesting and informative excursion programs are held on the territory of the monastery, where you can see and feel all of the above. Novodevichy Convent, excursions around the territory of which will be useful for both adults and children, is an amazing place that expects its visitors every day to reveal its secrets to them.
